Next-Generation Engineering Design Software
Lattice Generation Software
Access the Most Advanced Lattice Design Software
nTopology offers you the world’s most advanced lattice generation and surface texturing tools to design the highest-performing parts for Additive Manufacturing.
- Lightning-Fast Lattice Generation
Generate lattice structures with 50,000+ unit cells in seconds! - Complete Control Over Lattice Design
Control and fine-tune lattices for performance or aesthetics using field-driven design. - Robust & Reusable Design Processes
Reuse and automate design workflows to accelerate your process and scale.
Lightning-Fast Lattice Generation
Lattice generation is now faster than ever before. Generate even the most complex lattices in milliseconds and preview design changes in real-time.
Precise Tuning of Complex Lattice Structures
Our new latticing technology separates lattice design into three fundamental steps: select a unit cell, define the cell map, and control lattice parameters. The new latticing tools are easy to use, faster than before, and offer greater control over complex lattice structures.
Lattice Structure Types
There is a wide range of unit cell types, from graph to Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces, each of which is appropriate for different applications.
Beam
For lightweight structures with excellent damage tolerance and energy absorption.
Honeycombs
For planar lattice structures or rib grids with the highest directional stiffness.
Stochastic
For porous foam-like structures that approximate isotropy at larger sizes.
TPMS
For structures with large surface area, high stiffness, and excellent manufacturability.
Applications of Lattice Structures
Lightweighting
Minimize weight and material usage to optimize aerospace, automotive, or medical parts.
Heat Exchangers
Maximize surface areas and guide the flow in advanced heat exchangers and filters.
Energy Absorption
Integrate vibration, sound, and shock absorption to industrial products and sports equipment.
Osseointegration
Decrease post-surgery rehabilitation times with implant lattices that promote bone growth.
3D Printed Foams
Create custom cushioning using high-elongation, high-porosity lattice structures.
Product Design
Create designs with a slick aesthetic and improve the ergonomics of premium consumer products.
Case Studies
The benefits of lattice structures go beyond technical specifications. Here is how companies are applying advanced latticing techniques to create business value.
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Aerojet Rocketdyne enabled sustainable space exploration by developing an RCS quad thruster with 66% lower cost than competing solutions.
LifeNabled
LifeNabled designed custom 3D printed prosthetics with lattices for cushioning to treat 35 patients in the jungle of Guatemala.
SI-BONE
SI-BONE developed a product family of 3D printed metal implants with porous lattice structures that promote bone growth.
Is your Software Ready for Additive Manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing processes give you a new pathway to production.
Yet, in the same way traditional processes restrict your ability to manufacture advanced lattice structures, traditional software limits your ability to design them.
Why Use nTopology for Lattice Design?
nTopology gives you complete control over the core components of lattice structures: the unit cell, the cell map, and the lattice parameters.
The 30+ built-in graph and TPMS unit cells (and the ability to define your own) give you access to the most extensive library of lattices.
The software’s implicit modeling and field-driven design capabilities enable you to precisely tune and control the lattice components in different regions.
The integrated simulation tools allow you to evaluate the performance of your lattice designs.
Performance-Driven Lattices
nTopology enables you to control lattice parameters at every point in space using Field-Driven Design. Optimize your lattice structures to exceed your performance targets. Generate parts with advanced lattice structures driven by simulation results, test data, or engineering formulas.
Architected Materials for Advanced Product Development
Control a product’s performance characteristics just by altering its structure. Fine-tune the properties of complex lattice structures to achieve a targeted mechanical, thermal, electromagnetic, acoustic, or biological response—even in combinations not found in nature.
Save Time with Design Automation
In nTopology, you design processes, not just parts. In other words, you don’t have to start designing from scratch every time you begin a new project. nTopCL, nTopology’s command-line interface, enables you to set up massive simulation-based Design of Experiments.
Trusted by world-class teams
“With nTopology, we created a powerful and unique additive design. It wouldn’t be possible to create such a component with a traditional CAD system.”
Martin Blanke
Project Engineer, DMG MORI
“This product has been hugely successful for us, and this is definitely in part due to the lattice structure that was created by nTopology.” Beth Stuart
Senior Design Engineer, SI-BONE
“nTopology is different from any other design tools I’ve used before. It remapped the way I think about 3D printing. Becoming more familiar with the software has increased my Additive Design IQ.”
Ross Brown
AM Engineer, Marrotta Controls
“nTopology was already a very robust and first-of-its-kind tool. The new latticing technology is a major upgrade compared to anything else I’ve seen in the past.”
Chelsea Cummings
Application Engineer, The Barnes Group Advisors
See nTopology’s latticing tools in action!
Would you like to experience the power of nTopology’s latticing tools? Request a demo and speak with our nTop experts!
FAQs
What is a lattice structure?
Lattice structures are periodic cellular patterns. They consist of unit cells that are repeated to fill out a volume or a surface. Lattices are common in nature because they are efficient at creating structures that are low in weight and high in stiffness while taking advantage of all available space. The advent of additive manufacturing makes lattice structures more common in engineering and design.
Are lattice structures used only in additive manufacturing?
While this is true for complex volume lattices, it is not always necessary. Advanced latticing techniques can be applied to generate certain lattice types, like rib grids, that can be produced with traditional manufacturing methods—like CNC machining or injection molding.
Where can I learn more about lattice structures?
nTopology is a company of engineers, designers, and innovators. Over the years, our experts have created content on advanced engineering design topics. This technical article will guide you through the basic concepts of lattice design. Our nTop Lives show you how to apply latticing techniques in industry-specific use cases. Once you have access to our software, our Intro to Lattices course in our Learning Center will guide you in your journey to becoming an nTop expert.
Lattice Design Resources for Engineers & Designers
Video
How to Accelerate FE Simulation of Lattices using Homogenization
Selecting a suitable lattice unit cell during design is not an easy process. Simulations are needed to predict their behavior before testing — both are expensive.
Homogenization can significantly accelerate the earlier design stages. Instead of simulating the whole lattice, you can approximate its effective material properties based on the behavior of a single lattice cell.
Ready for the next step?
See for yourself why leaders in aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer industries depend on nTopology to develop revolutionary products.
